Racial variation of aerobic and anaerobic performances in sedentary men

The present study was designed to compare the effect of racial variations on short- and incremental maximal exercises in sedentary men whites (WT) and blacks (BT) Tunisian and South African (SA). In a randomized order, thirty-six physically sedentary men including 12 BT, 12 WT, and 12 SA were asked to perform a force-velocity (i.e., determination of maximal power (Pmax), F0, and V0) and a treadmill maximal aerobic (i.e., determination of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max)) tests. Pmax and F0 were significantly higher in SA than WT (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05 respectively). However, no significant difference was observed between WT and BT and between SA and BT. Likewise, racial variations didn’t affect the V 0 values. Moreover, VO2 max was significantly higher in SA and BT than WT (p < 0.001). However, no significant difference was observed between SA and BT. Compared to white subjects, the present study’ results suggest the superiority of blacks races on aerobic and anaerobic exercises in physically sedentary men.